The Spoon River Project

The Spoon River Project based on Spoon River Anthology by Edgar Lee Masters adapted by Tom Andolora

(29)
Productions (98)
Play with Music
|
85 - 95 minutes
5 W, 6 M,  (10-18 actors possible: 5-10 W, 5-10 M)
Set: The setting is a cemetery. It can be elaborate or as simple as you like.

In this beautifully haunting play based on Edgar Lee Masters' Spoon River Anthology, the former residents of Spoon River examine life and the longing for what might have been. As the citizens reflect on the dreams, secrets, and regrets of their lives, they paint a gritty and honest portrait of the town as all of their pasts are illuminated. Read More

Pricing Information

Libretto $13.99
piano/vocal/violin score $12.99
Archival Video License $150

For additional production package information, please see the Overview below. For production package pricing and performance fees, please begin an order.


View Package Details


Playscripts is pleased to offer an Archival Video License for an additional $150 for full-length plays and $75 for one-act plays.

Play Details

In this beautifully haunting play based on Edgar Lee Masters' Spoon River Anthology, the former residents of Spoon River examine life and the longing for what might have been. As the citizens reflect on the dreams, secrets, and regrets of their lives, they paint a gritty and honest portrait of the town as all of their pasts are illuminated.

For more information, visit the playwright's page for The Spoon River Project.

Note: There is a shorter version of this play available, ideal for competition use. Please contact Playscripts for details.

  • Play with Music
  • |
  • 85 - 95 minutes
  • 5 W, 6 M,  (10-18 actors possible: 5-10 W, 5-10 M)
  • Set: The setting is a cemetery. It can be elaborate or as simple as you like.
  • Standard Edition ISBN: 978-1-62384-138-6

Package Details

Production Packages Include

  • 11 librettos (the book and lyrics)
  • 3 piano/vocal/violin score

Pricing and other details are provided during the order process. Higher quantities of some items may be purchased.

Published Reviews

"We may live in a very different world than that of Spoon River, but Masters' truths about the human condition are eternal. The Spoon River Project delivers them with love, care, and rich, enveloping atmosphere. To paraphrase Sally Durant Plummer, I'm so glad I went."

Erik Haagensen, Backstage (Critics' Pick)

"I have a long and storied English class history with Edgar Lee Masters' 1915 cycle of 246 free-verse epitaph poems, Spoon River Anthology. So I didn't expect to like it when Tom Andolora brought his edited and staged version, titled The Spoon River Project, to my new hometown in Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn. What a pleasant surprise! Masters' text is a series of challenging but worthwhile cameos about the emotionally crippling social hierarchy of small town America. This show really got it right [...] I was riveted all over again and would say that it was one of those theater-going experiences that will stick with me long after this season."

Hillary Cohen, The New York Innovative Theatre Foundation

"For a show about the dead, The Spoon River Project is very much alive. It's a strong play. In a span of 80 minutes, passion, joy, regret, sorrow, rage and love are expressed by the play's nearly 50 characters ... all of whom have come back from the dead to share the secrets they've taken with them to the grave."

Meredith Deliso, The Brooklyn Paper

"Those whose lives could benefit from an hour of beauty, thought and song will find all three, beautifully presented, in The Spoon River Project. It is a truly beautiful experience."

Robert Plyler, Jamestown Post Journal (Jamestown, NY)

Production History

FEB 27, 2025 - MAR 01, 2025
Downers Grove North High School
Downers Grove, IL United States
Downers Grove North High School Downers Grove, IL United States
OCT 26, 2023 - NOV 04, 2023
Hockinson High School
Brush Prairie, WA United States
Hockinson High School Brush Prairie, WA United States
MAY 25, 2023 - MAY 25, 2023
Gulfport High School
Gulfport, MS United States
Gulfport High School Gulfport, MS United States
OCT 28, 2022 - OCT 28, 2022
Tallulah Falls School
Tallulah Falls, GA United States
Tallulah Falls School Tallulah Falls, GA United States
OCT 22, 2022 - OCT 29, 2022
Tallulah Falls School
Tallulah Falls, GA United States
Tallulah Falls School Tallulah Falls, GA United States
APR 07, 2022 - APR 10, 2022
Monmouth College Theatre Department
Monmouth, IL United States
Monmouth College Theatre Department Monmouth, IL United States
APR 01, 2022 - APR 08, 2022
Wheaton College
Wheaton, IL United States
Wheaton College Wheaton, IL United States
FEB 08, 2022 - FEB 10, 2022
Hialeah High School
Hialeah, FL United States
Hialeah High School Hialeah, FL United States
DEC 09, 2021 - DEC 11, 2021
Laramie High School
Laramie, WY United States
Laramie High School Laramie, WY United States
NOV 17, 2021 - NOV 19, 2021
North Side High School
Fort Wayne, IN United States
North Side High School Fort Wayne, IN United States
NOV 12, 2021 - NOV 14, 2021
Our Lady of Lourdes High School
Poughkeepsie, NY United States
Our Lady of Lourdes High School Poughkeepsie, NY United States
MAY 22, 2021 - MAY 24, 2021
St. Marys International School
Tokyo, Japan
St. Marys International School Tokyo, Japan
MAY 13, 2021 - MAY 14, 2021
Rock Hill High School
Rock Hill, SC United States
Rock Hill High School Rock Hill, SC United States
MAY 13, 2021 - MAY 14, 2021
Dana Hall School
Wellesley, MA United States
Dana Hall School Wellesley, MA United States
APR 24, 2021 - APR 25, 2021
Rouse High School
Leander, TX United States
Rouse High School Leander, TX United States
APR 24, 2021 - APR 30, 2021
SUNY Corning Community College
Corning, NY United States
SUNY Corning Community College Corning, NY United States
APR 15, 2021 - APR 15, 2021
Oconee County High School
Watkinsville, GA United States
Oconee County High School Watkinsville, GA United States
APR 09, 2021 - APR 10, 2021
Frostburg State University
Frostburg, MD United States
Frostburg State University Frostburg, MD United States
APR 08, 2021 - APR 08, 2021
Frostburg State University
Frostburg, MD United States
Frostburg State University Frostburg, MD United States
MAR 15, 2021 - MAR 15, 2021
OLSH Theatre Department
Coraopolis, PA United States
OLSH Theatre Department Coraopolis, PA United States
MAR 12, 2021 - MAR 13, 2021
De Soto High School
De Soto, KS United States
De Soto High School De Soto, KS United States
FEB 26, 2021 - FEB 28, 2021
University of Minnesota Duluth, Department of Theatre
Duluth, MN United States
University of Minnesota Duluth, Department of Theatre Duluth, MN United States
JAN 15, 2021 - JAN 15, 2021
Acting Out Theater Company
Lawrence, MA United States
Acting Out Theater Company Lawrence, MA United States
DEC 18, 2020 - DEC 19, 2020
Scarsdale High School Drama Club
Scarsdale, NY United States
Scarsdale High School Drama Club Scarsdale, NY United States
DEC 17, 2020 - DEC 19, 2020
Campbell High School Theatre
Syrna, GA United States
Campbell High School Theatre Syrna, GA United States
DEC 03, 2020 - DEC 05, 2020
Westminster Christian Academy
Town And Country, MO United States
Westminster Christian Academy Town And Country, MO United States
NOV 20, 2020 - NOV 22, 2020
St. Charles Preparatory School
Columbus, OH United States
St. Charles Preparatory School Columbus, OH United States
NOV 19, 2020 - NOV 22, 2020
Carl Junction High School
Carl Junction, MO United States
Carl Junction High School Carl Junction, MO United States
NOV 12, 2020 - NOV 14, 2020
The Masquers Inc.
Manitowoc, WI United States
The Masquers Inc. Manitowoc, WI United States
NOV 12, 2020 - NOV 15, 2020
Linfield Christian School
Temecula, CA United States
Linfield Christian School Temecula, CA United States
NOV 06, 2020 - NOV 06, 2020
Belhaven University
Jackson, MS United States
Belhaven University Jackson, MS United States
NOV 06, 2020 - NOV 08, 2020
OLSH Theatre Department
Coraopolis, PA United States
OLSH Theatre Department Coraopolis, PA United States
NOV 05, 2020 - NOV 05, 2020
Assumption High School
Louisville, KY United States
Assumption High School Louisville, KY United States
NOV 05, 2020 - NOV 14, 2020
Belhaven University
Jackson, MS United States
Belhaven University Jackson, MS United States
NOV 01, 2020 - NOV 03, 2020
Livonia Public Schools
Livonia, MI United States
Livonia Public Schools Livonia, MI United States
OCT 30, 2020 - NOV 07, 2020
Assumption High School
Louisville, KY United States
Assumption High School Louisville, KY United States
OCT 30, 2020 - OCT 31, 2020
Curtain Players
GALENA, OH United States
Curtain Players GALENA, OH United States
OCT 29, 2020 - MAR 17, 2021
UHS Theatre
Orlando, FL United States
UHS Theatre Orlando, FL United States
OCT 24, 2020 - NOV 06, 2020
John Paul II High School
Plano, TX United States
John Paul II High School Plano, TX United States
OCT 22, 2020 - OCT 24, 2020
Aubrey High School
Aubrey, TX United States
Aubrey High School Aubrey, TX United States
JUL 17, 2020 - JUL 18, 2020
Mozingo Center for Creative Arts dba Midwest Center for Creative Arts
O'Fallon, MO United States
Mozingo Center for Creative Arts dba Midwest Center for Creative Arts O'Fallon, MO United States
JAN 18, 2020 - JAN 18, 2020
Christian Brothers High School
Memphis, TN United States
Christian Brothers High School Memphis, TN United States
DEC 07, 2019 - DEC 07, 2019
Fern Creek High School (JCPS)
Louisville, KY United States
Fern Creek High School (JCPS) Louisville, KY United States
DEC 07, 2019 - DEC 07, 2019
Fern Creek High School (JCPS)
Louisville KY, KY United States
Fern Creek High School (JCPS) Louisville KY, KY United States
DEC 05, 2019 - DEC 07, 2019
Christian Brothers High School
Memphis, TN United States
Christian Brothers High School Memphis, TN United States
NOV 15, 2019 - NOV 17, 2019
Skyline College Theater Club
San Francisco, CA United States
Skyline College Theater Club San Francisco, CA United States
OCT 17, 2019 - OCT 19, 2019
Saint Thomas More Academy
Magnolia, DE United States
Saint Thomas More Academy Magnolia, DE United States
OCT 19, 2018 - OCT 27, 2018
Out Of The Box Players
Ramona, CA United States
Out Of The Box Players Ramona, CA United States
MAY 05, 2018 - MAY 30, 2018
Queen Elizabeth Regional High School
Clarenville, NF Canada
Queen Elizabeth Regional High School Clarenville, NF Canada
APR 09, 2018 - APR 12, 2018
Mandan High School
Mandan, ND United States
Mandan High School Mandan, ND United States
MAR 17, 2018 - MAR 17, 2018
Pioneer Productions
St. John's, NF Canada
Pioneer Productions St. John's, NF Canada
NOV 01, 2017 - NOV 01, 2017
Boyle County High School
Danville, KY United States
Boyle County High School Danville, KY United States
MAY 05, 2017 - MAY 06, 2017
Winfield High School Drama Club
Winfield, MO United States
Winfield High School Drama Club Winfield, MO United States
FEB 09, 2017 - FEB 10, 2017
Wichita High School South
Wichita, KS United States
Wichita High School South Wichita, KS United States
DEC 09, 2016 - DEC 10, 2016
Centennial High School Drama Club
Pueblo, CO United States
Centennial High School Drama Club Pueblo, CO United States
DEC 08, 2016 - DEC 12, 2016
Olean Theatre Workshop
Olean, NY United States
Olean Theatre Workshop Olean, NY United States
NOV 17, 2016 - NOV 19, 2016
Las Vegas High School
Las Vegas, NV United States
Las Vegas High School Las Vegas, NV United States
NOV 16, 2016 - NOV 19, 2016
Roanoke College
Salem, VA United States
Roanoke College Salem, VA United States
OCT 21, 2016 - OCT 22, 2016
Corbin Theatre
Liberty, MO United States
Corbin Theatre Liberty, MO United States
OCT 19, 2016 - OCT 24, 2016
Lake Travis High School
Austin, TX United States
Lake Travis High School Austin, TX United States
OCT 08, 2016 - OCT 08, 2016
Live Arts Theatre
Buford, GA United States
Live Arts Theatre Buford, GA United States
OCT 07, 2016 - OCT 09, 2016
Live Arts Theatre
Buford, GA United States
Live Arts Theatre Buford, GA United States
MAR 18, 2016 - MAR 19, 2016
Clarinda High School
Clarinda, IA United States
Clarinda High School Clarinda, IA United States
MAR 06, 2016 - MAR 12, 2016
Cherry On Top Theater
CAMINO, CA United States
Cherry On Top Theater CAMINO, CA United States
MAR 03, 2016 - MAR 05, 2016
Cherry On Top Theater
CAMINO, CA United States
Cherry On Top Theater CAMINO, CA United States
DEC 03, 2015 - DEC 03, 2015
Independence High School
Charlotte, NC United States
Independence High School Charlotte, NC United States
OCT 28, 2015 - OCT 31, 2015
Delton Kellogg Theatre Arts Company
Delton, MI United States
Delton Kellogg Theatre Arts Company Delton, MI United States
OCT 16, 2015 - OCT 18, 2015
Theatre Guild Valdosta
Lake Park, GA United States
Theatre Guild Valdosta Lake Park, GA United States
SEP 17, 2015 - SEP 19, 2015
Creekview High School
Carrollton, TX United States
Creekview High School Carrollton, TX United States
JUN 23, 2015 - JUN 23, 2015
Sock 'n' Buskin Theatre
Lincoln, NE United States
Sock 'n' Buskin Theatre Lincoln, NE United States
APR 17, 2015 - APR 18, 2015
Portage Area School District
Portage, PA United States
Portage Area School District Portage, PA United States
MAR 26, 2015 - MAR 29, 2015
West Chester University
West Chester, PA United States
West Chester University West Chester, PA United States
MAR 19, 2015 - MAR 21, 2015
McKinney North High School
McKinney, TX United States
McKinney North High School McKinney, TX United States
FEB 13, 2015 - FEB 15, 2015
The Gunston School
Church Hill, MD United States
The Gunston School Church Hill, MD United States
JAN 11, 2015 - JAN 11, 2015
Woodgrove High School
Purcelville, VA United States
Woodgrove High School Purcelville, VA United States
DEC 04, 2014 - DEC 13, 2014
Mt. Carmel High School
San Diego, CA United States
Mt. Carmel High School San Diego, CA United States
NOV 20, 2014 - NOV 22, 2014
Trinity Christian Academy
Lexington, KY United States
Trinity Christian Academy Lexington, KY United States
NOV 08, 2014 - DEC 13, 2014
Louisville High School
Louisville, NE United States
Louisville High School Louisville, NE United States
NOV 07, 2014 - NOV 22, 2014
Footlight Players
Coshocton, OH United States
Footlight Players Coshocton, OH United States
OCT 25, 2014 - OCT 25, 2014
Woodgrove High School
Winchester, VA United States
Woodgrove High School Winchester, VA United States
OCT 10, 2014 - OCT 26, 2014
Fircrest Presbyterian Church
Tacoma, WA United States
Fircrest Presbyterian Church Tacoma, WA United States
SEP 29, 2014 - OCT 31, 2014
Ocala Civic Theatre
Ocala, FL United States
Ocala Civic Theatre Ocala, FL United States
MAR 12, 2014 - MAR 15, 2014
Southwest Baptist University
Bolivar, MO United States
Southwest Baptist University Bolivar, MO United States
MAR 07, 2014 - MAR 16, 2014
Portland Community College
Portland, OR United States
Portland Community College Portland, OR United States
FEB 21, 2014 - FEB 23, 2014
Stow-Munroe Falls High School
Stow, OH United States
Stow-Munroe Falls High School Stow, OH United States
JAN 04, 2014 - JAN 04, 2014
SMS Players
Stephenville, NL Canada
SMS Players Stephenville, NL Canada
NOV 07, 2013 - NOV 10, 2013
University Of Hawaii At Hilo
Hilo, HI United States
University Of Hawaii At Hilo Hilo, HI United States
SEP 27, 2013 - SEP 28, 2013
SUNY Fredonia
Fredonia, NY United States
SUNY Fredonia Fredonia, NY United States
AUG 02, 2013 - AUG 03, 2013
St. John's Players
Manitowoc, WI United States
St. John's Players Manitowoc, WI United States
MAY 18, 2013 - MAY 18, 2013
Allentown High School
Allentown, NJ United States
Allentown High School Allentown, NJ United States
MAY 17, 2013 - MAY 17, 2013
Rosman Amateur Theatrical Society
Rosman, NC United States
Rosman Amateur Theatrical Society Rosman, NC United States
FEB 01, 2013 - FEB 28, 2013
South San Antonio High School Drama
San Antonio, TX United States
South San Antonio High School Drama San Antonio, TX United States
FEB 01, 2012 - FEB 29, 2012
California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA United States
California State University - Fullerton Fullerton, CA United States
OCT 01, 2011 - OCT 31, 2011
James Caldwell High School
West Caldwell, NJ United States
James Caldwell High School West Caldwell, NJ United States
JUL 01, 2011 - JUL 31, 2011
Lake View Cemetery
Jamestown, NY United States
Lake View Cemetery Jamestown, NY United States
JUN 01, 2011 - JUN 30, 2011
Green-Wood Cemetery
Brooklyn, NY United States
Green-Wood Cemetery Brooklyn, NY United States
JUL 01, 2010 - JUL 31, 2010
Lake View Cemetery
Jamestown, NY United States
Lake View Cemetery Jamestown, NY United States
JUL 01, 2009 - JUL 31, 2009
Lake View Cemetery
Jamestown, NY United States
Lake View Cemetery Jamestown, NY United States
FEB 27, 2025 - MAR 01, 2025
Downers Grove North High School
Downers Grove, IL United States
Downers Grove North High School Downers Grove, IL United States
No professional productions.

Archival Video License

Playscripts is pleased to offer an Archival Video License to add to your order for an additional $150 for full-length plays and $75 for one-act plays.

This allows you to record one of your live performances for your internal archives only. This cannot be streamed.

For more information, please reach out to [email protected]